Accidentally scared my gecko

[Iroko_Alien]

So I just got my leopard gecko, Charlie. He’s my first reptile but I did weeks of research before buying him to be sure he was safe and healthy. Bought him lots of different hides, and he’s been in my house about 18 hours. This morning I went to leave a few mealworms in his terrarium before work and I couldn’t find him. When I bought him he was hiding under the reptile carpet so I thought he’d be there. Emptied the terrarium and lifted the carpet. No Charlie so I put things back carefully and I’m getting nervous. I see a cricket in his big hide and shake it out, only to feel Charlie brush against my finger as I put it back. He’s been hiding in the corner as I repeated moved and shook it to get the bugs out. Now he’s staying as far back as possible and not coming out. Is he sleeping in there since it’s dark? He’s 1 1/2 months old and about 4 inches long. I’m worried he may have trouble getting out but don’t want to scare him deeper into there by trying to help him out.

 

[Marillion]

Please provide further details and pictures of your setup. We need to know what your temperatures are at on the warm side, middle and cool side. What you are using for heating, how many hides etc.

When a Gecko is placed into a new home, they need to be left alone to get used to their new surroundings for at least a week or two. Try not to move anything or change anything during that time. Do not even try to pick him up for the first couple of weeks to three weeks is my advice. There is a slow acclimatization period you should follow for him to get used to you. Don't rush it. Read as much as you can in the link that I have posted below.

 

[Iroko_Alien]

Please provide further details and pictures of your setup. We need to know what your temperatures are at on the warm side, middle and cool side. What you are using for heating, how many hides etc.

When a Gecko is placed into a new home, they need to be left alone to get used to their new surroundings for at least a week or two. Try not to move anything or change anything during that time. Do not even try to pick him up for the first couple of weeks to three weeks is my advice. There is a slow acclimatization period you should follow for him to get used to you. Don't rush it. Read as much as you can in the link that I have posted below.

Apparently he came out while I was at work, he’s sleeping now. The lamp was a few inches too high so the warm side was about 81F, so I’ve moved it down. I bought a heating pad as well but it doesn’t seem to warm the area all that well. I’ve got him 4 hides (warm, cold, damp and a large one that’s like a tree) a couple crickets and mealworms are in there in case he’s hungry. He’s about 5 weeks old according to the guy at petsmart and I brought him home last night. I patted his head once but I appreciate the advice of allowing him to acclimate (pet store said to hold him every day, but I decided to wait since my hand made him nervous) he’s about 4ish inches long if that helps. I’m attaching a picture of the set up for recommendations of things to add/take. The white on the reptile rug is calcium powder (put too much on the crickets). I’m new to reptiles but doing plenty of research and asking around. Thank you for the advice and help.

 

[Marillion]

You're very welcome. Reptile carpet is very hard to keep clean...I don't use it myself. If you do use it, keep 2. That way you can keep one completely clean to replace periodically while you clean the other one.

I definitely recommend leaving him alone and not trying to pick up or even touch him until he learns to associate your hands and smell with food (good experiences) and not a threat.

I use a sealed but textured ceramic tile in my gecko's enclosure. Much easier to clean and keep clean.

With all due respect to Petsmart. You will very likely get better information here than there! Not necessarily from me though...I am relatively new as well. However I have done a LOT of reading and research as well as asked a lot of questions around here the past while.

 

[Iroko_Alien]

I’ve had some coworkers that were owners as well as hours of videos so before I researched I began with surface level knowledge. I’ve also moved to heating mat to the bottom of the tank rather than the side, though the instructions recommended putting it on the side wall, other people say it’s best on the bottom, I did purchase a secondary reptile carpet as well. When I get payed next I’ll definitely be looking into the tile you suggested. My only worry is underfeeding him, but I’m letting the mealworms and crickets (2-3 each) stay in his tank so he can eat as he pleases, though he’s not eating a ton, probably nerves.

 

[Marillion]

Good call moving the heatmat to the bottom. A new environment would definitely affect his appetite. I wouldn't leave crickets in there overnight. They could if they get hungry start chewing on your gecko or biting his eyes!

 

[Iroko_Alien]

Good call moving the heatmat to the bottom. A new environment would definitely affect his appetite. I wouldn't leave crickets in there overnight. They could if they get hungry start chewing on your gecko or biting his eyes!

Just removed them, thank you for the reminder!